Bilstein 5100's installed along with new tires

After a year and hours of research, finally pulled the trigger on a set of Bilstein 5100 shocks and new Goodyear Duratrac tires. Below are my thoughts:

Bili 5100's: Set at 1.75, which levels the truck perfect w/ the rear TSB. Truck rides great and thankfully no noticeable vibration. A friend did the install and it went well, except the we installed the bottom plate upside down, which gave us an added 1" but made it very difficult to compress and set at 1.75. At that point I figured something was wrong and went to the forumns for answers - mission accomplished.

Tires: New Goodyear Duratrac's - 265/75/16". One word....AMAZING. Purchased at Discount Tire in Reno. The day I had them installed, the snow started falling. These tires have excellent traction in the white stuff. They also transformed the look of the truck. Very, very happy.

Misc. - After the install of tires, took my truck to Mikes Automotive Perfection in Reno for an allignment. Good thing, as the install of the shocks really took it out of factory specs. All set now. Let me know if anyone wants to see the spaces after the 5100 install.

Below are some photos - truck is dirty as I've been on the mountain all week enjoying 5+ feet of new snow. **NOTE** - The photo of the suspension shows the WRONG WAY to install the shocks - the perch is upside down.

 

Looks good!

 

Nice looking TACO. Like those rims a lot. I grew up in Susanville. Dont miss the snow though. Enjoy.

 

Yes, sorry should have noted that in the photo. We did install the correct way.

 

Looks good ,

OZ

 

How is the ride with this setup?

 

That truck looks awesome man congrats! I have some 5100's in the mail right now cant wait to install them at 1.75 with my TSB. How long was your install?

 

the 5100s do make a world of differance.

 

Nice ride bro. I like the pics too. I wish we had a bunch of that snow down here to play in.

 

Looking good man. Not sure if you started a build yet, but you should consider one if you haven't. Digging the rims too!

 

Thats the setup I'm going with next month,looks great!

 

Yes, he says it has already been rectified, good thing too....

 

looks really clean. i love the color

 

Scully - Did you use the stock TRD coils? Thanks

 

Bluecleee - did use the stock TRD coils as they are heavy duty and didn't see any reason to switch out. Truck rides very nice, just a bit harsher but very acceptable.

 

good catch!

 

Thanks for the reply, I'm debating using my stock TRD OR coils and buying Eibachs.

 

Have you got a head on shot of that wheel / tire combo? I'd like to see how much they stick out with the 4.5 backspacing vs stock.

 

Nice truck good setup. I've got the 5100,s also. And, thanks to your picture, I realized that I have the perch up side down (apparently like my brain). Its been wrong since day one. This past October. Thanks for posting.

 

nice...i been hearing about people installing the bottom plate upside down....lol...glad you got it figured out....thanx for the pic...now i know to turn it the other way when i get mine put on